Magpies can upset high-flying Kiddy – Jansen

Second plays fourth in the National League North tomorrow as Chorley look to snap a three-match winless run when they host Kidderminster Harriers at Victory Park.

The Magpies have picked up just two points from their past three games, including losing 3-1 at Boston United on Tuesday night which followed the 3-3 draw at FC United on Saturday.

And they face one of the toughest challenges this weekend against Kidderminster, who are four points above them in the table.

Indeed the visitors still have a genuine chance of lifting the title as they are only seven points behind leaders AFC Fylde but boast two games in hand.

Chorley are still handily positioned in a play-off spot, but their recent blip means a number of teams behind them are within touching distance.

However, manager Matt Jansen would not be surprised to see his men end their recent poor run with victory over the title challengers tomorrow.

“Kidderminster are flying high,” he said. “But football is a funny old game. It is a game that you probably expect not to win comfortably, but you could. I am not saying we will win it comfortably, but football is funny like that.

“We will go into the game still believing – we won’t let this run affect us.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve felt disappointed and that’s football sometimes but we’ll be okay for Kidderminster tomorrow.”

Jansen felt his side deserved a point from their trip to Boston, which was a rearranged game after the initial fixture had been postponed.

They went in at the interval a goal to the good courtesy of Jack Cottrell, but then shipped three goals in the second half.

“We were 1-0 up at half-time and I think that was a true reflection of the first half. They got gifted a penalty in the second half and that gave them a bit of a lift.

“It wasn’t a penalty in my view, but that gave them impetus.”

Meanwhile, AFC Fylde are hoping to conclude a deal to sign Chesterfield defender Laurence Maguire on loan in a bid to strengthen their promotion push.

Maguire has made four appearances for the Spireites to date -– his brother Harry is on the books of Hull City and has played regularly in the Premier League this season.

Challinor was hoping to tie up a deal for the player in time for him to figure away at Brackley tomorrow.

He said: “Laurence has a good pedigree and has experience of playing in the Chesterfield first team.

It is the fourth time, Fylde will face Brackley this season and they have yet to register a win. Challinor said: “Brackley have a good squad and are well organised.”